Apparatus for filling and weighing receptacles



Man]! 1954 A. R. MEADORS, JR

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND WEIGHING RECEPTACLES Filed D60. 15, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ANSEL R. MEADORSIJR ATTORNEY March 2, 1954MEADQRS JR 2,670,920

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND WEIGHING RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 15, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 2 N an O m \0 KO INVENTORQ ANSEL R. MEADoRgJn QWMM ATTORNEY6 BY l.|..

March 2, 1954 R JR 2,670,920

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND WEIGHING RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 15, .1952

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I W/ '//////////A INVENTOR Ausam. R. MEADORS,JR. BW BYATTORNEY March 1954 A, R. MEADORS, JR

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND WEIGHING RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 15, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR -ANSEL R, MEAooRs, J2,

@QQMW ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAPPARATUS FOR FILLl IG AND WEIGHING RECEPTACLES 4 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for filling and weighing receptacles.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a simplified andefficient filling and weighing apparatus for bottles, jars and otherreceptacles, and adapted to accurately measure or meter with uniformitythe amount of liquid introduced into the receptacles from a faucet orthe like.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above-mentionedcharacter which is positive in operation and yet sensitive, theapparatus being adjustable to facilitate filling and weighing ofreceptacles of various sizes.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above-mentionedcharacter which is readily dismantled for cleaning, repairs and thelike.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thementioned type which is sturdy and durable and inexpensive tomanufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure l is a side elevation of filling and weighing apparatusembodying. my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section on line 3f3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section substantially on line 5-5 ofFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a similar section on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a similar section on line l'---'! of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a further side elevation of the apparatus drawn on a reducedscale and showing the apparatus partly dismantled for cleaning or thelike, and

Figure 9 is a further fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus andillustrating the operation of the same in conjunction with a dispensingfaucet for liquids.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of ill'ustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l5 designates a flathorizontal base plate or support for the apparatus. Fixedly secured, tothe base plate l5 at a selected point along the same, and inwardly of.its opposite longitudinal edges are a pair of uprights or standards Itand H which arespaced apart somewhat, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. Thelow-er ends of the standards I6 and I! may be rigidly secured to thebase plate l5 by welding or the like. Rigidly secured to the tops of thestandards [6 and I! are generally U-shaped bearings or pillow blocks l8,substantially L-shaped in cross section, Figure 7, and including outervertical flanges or side walls 19 integral therewith. The pillow blocks[8 are arranged in transverse or axial alignment, at the same elevation,and form with the standards It and H the main fulcrum or pivotalsupporting means for the apparatus.

Arranged between the bearings [8, at substantially the elevation of thesame, and extending longitudinally of the support plate I5 is a scalebeam or bar 20, having a transverse opening 2| formed therein betweenits ends, for receiving a horizontal transverse bolt 22, Figure 7. Thebolt 22 extends transversely beyond the opposite sides of the scale beam2!! to form trunnions for the scale beam. The bolt 22 may be rigidlylocked to the beam 2t by lock nuts 23, mounted thereon adjacent to theopposite sides of the beam, and also serving to position axially a pairof ball bearings 24, mounted upon the bolt 22 inwardly of its head 25and the nut 26, carried by the other end of the bolt. The ball bearings24 are thus held against axial movement upon the bolt 22, and the ballbearings have their outer races seated within the U-shaped bearings It,as shown. The side flanges I9 of the pillow blocks prevent the scalebeam 20 and associated elements from shifting laterally with respect tothe standards is and H. The arrangement provides a free andsubstantially frictionless pivotal mounting for the scale beam 20, whichis adapted to swing vertically during the operation of the apparatus.

The beam 20 extends longitudinally rearwardly of or to the right of thestandards [6 and I1, Figure 1, for any preferred distance, and isprovided with a longitudinally adjustable counter weight 21, held inplace by a set screw 28 Or the like. Forwardly of the counter weight 21,and near the rear sides of the pillow blocks 18', a split sheet metalclamp or bracket 2.! surrounds the beam 20 and is rigidly clampedthereto by screws 30, arranged above and below the beam 20. The bracket29 has a top cylindrical clamping extension or sleeve 3!, integraltherewith, and receiving a longitudinal tube 32, disposed above the beam28' in spaced superposed relation therewith. The clamping sleeve 3|tightly grips the tube 32 near its rear end, Figure l, and the forwardend of the tube is rigidly supported by a screw threaded leg or stud 33,welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower side of the tube 32 andextending through an opening formed in the beam 23. The stud 33 isrigidly secured to the scale beam 29 by means of lock nuts 34, arrangedabove and below the scale beam and this arrangement provides means foradjusting the forward end of the tube 32 vertically slightly withrespect to the beam 25. As shown in Figure l, the tube 32 is generallyparallel to the beam but has its forward end converging slightly towardthe forward end of the beam for a purpose to be described. Looselymounted within the tube 32, and free to roll longitudinally therein is aplurality of ball weights 35, preferably three in number, as shown inFigure 1. The ball weights 35 are held captive within the tube 32 bymeans of end transverse bolts or stops 35, rigidly secured withinopenings formed in the tube near its opposite ends.

Arranged adjacent to one side of the scale beam 25 near and forwardly ofthe standards l6 and I! and below the forward portion of the tube 32, isa cylindrical mercury switch 31 of a preferred conventional type, andsecured bodily to the beam 25 by a bolt 38 or the like, Figure 1. Themercury switch 3? has its longitudinal axis parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the beam 2|], as shown, and the switch may beadjusted angularly about the axis of the transverse bolt 38 and lockedinto selected adjusted position, when desired. The mercury switch 37contains a quantity 39 of mercury and has a pair of fixed terminals 40and GI, Figure 9, arranged to contact the mercury and complete a circuittherethrough when the switch is tilted in one direction with the beam 25and the mercury 39 collects near one end of the switch.

The beam 20 extends a slight distance forwardly of the mercury switch37!, and has rigidly secured to its forward end by welding or the like arigid L-shaped member or bracket 42.

The top portion of the bracket 42 projects longitudinally forwardly ofthe beam 20 and has rigidly secured to its forwardmost corners bywelding or the like a pair of horizontal transverse screw threadedshafts or trunnions 53. These trunnions 43 are arranged at the sameelevation and are in axial alignment, and project laterally beyond theopposite sides of the bracket 52. A pair of ball bearings 43 are mountedupon the trunnions 43 and secured in place against axial movement bypairs of lock nuts 55.

A horizontal weighing table or platform 45 is arranged above theL-shaped bracket 42 and ball bearings 34, and forwardly of the tube 32.This table 43 is flat and circular, as shown, and has rigidly secured toits lower side at diametrically opposite points by welding or the like,inverted generally U-shaped bearings or pillow blocks 4'1, L-shaped incross section and including outer vertical flanges or side walls 48,preferably integral therewith. These inverted pillow blocks 4! areseated upon the tops of the ball bearings 54, and provide for theWeighing platform 46 a substantially frictionless pivotal connectionwith the bracket 42 and scale beam 20.

Rigidly secured to the bottom of the table 45 by welding or the like anddepending from the center of the table is a vertical post or pedestal49, having its lower end terminating a substantial distance below thepillow blocks 41, as shown, and adapted to engage a low upstanding 4stop lug 5|, rigidly mounted upon the base plate l5 directly below thepedestal 59. The table 45 and pedestal'49 are held against movementaxially of the trunnions 43 by the vertical flanges 58 of the invertedpillow blocks 41. The L-shaped bracket 42 is provided in its leadingedge with an arcuate notch or cutout 32, Figure 2, to provide clearancefor the pedestal 49.

In order to conveniently adapt the weighing table it to different sizesof jars or receptacles, such as pint and quart jars and the like, Imount upon the table 46 an adjustable V-shaped abutment or wall 52,slidable thereon and having a pair of slotted extensions 53, rigidlysecured thereto by welding or the like. The horizontal slottedextensions 53 receive upstanding screws 54, rigidly secured to the table45 near its marginal edge, and these screws carry adjustable Wing nuts55 which are manipulated for adjusting the V-shaped abutment 52, andreleasably locking the same in the selected adjusted position.

A horizontal longitudinal link or bar 55 is provided near the lower endof the pedestal 49 and having its forward end connected with thepedestal by means of a transverse bolt 51, engaging through a slot 58 ofthe link 56, and slidable therein. The bolt 5! is rigidly secured to thepedestal 49, as shown. The rear end of the link 55 is pivoted to thestandard l6 by a bolt 59 or the like, and the link 56 is adapted toswing vertically about the bolt 59 when the beam 23 swings verticallyupon its pivot or fulcrum. The link 53 forms with the beam 20, standardI5, and pedestal 49 a parallelogram type of linkage for maintaining thepedestal 49 vertical and the table 45 horizontal in all positions of thebeam 20.

Means are provided to releasably hold the table 55 in the loweredposition with the bottom of the pedestal 49 engaging the stop lugs 5!.Such means comprises a transverse vertically swingable key lever 30,arranged near and above the base plate l5 and underneath the L-shapedbracket 52. The key lever 50 is pivotally secured near its longitudinalcenter, at 6! to an upstanding bracket or yoke 62, rigidly mounted uponthe base plate I5, at the transverse center of the same. The key lever60 has an upstanding latch extension 63 integral therewith near thepivot 6!, for locking engagement with a depending substantially L-shapedelement or keeper 64, rigidly secured by welding or the like to thebottom of the bracket 42. The key lever 53 carries a weight 65 at itsend remote from the key top 66, for causing the key lever 53 and latchextension 63 to return to their positions shown in Figure 5, when thelatch extension 33 is displaced to the right through engagement with thekeeper 64 or when the key top as is depressed by the finger.

My apparatus is used in conjunction with liquid dispensing means forfilling bottles or containers with liquid, such as the bottle 61 on thetable 45 in Figure 9. The liquid dispensing means may comprise a faucet68 having a valve 69 connected therein, and in turn, connected with asupply pipe ill, leading to a suitable source of supply for the liquid.The faucet 68 is bodily mounted upon a stationary upright or post H, andis vertically adjustable thereon as required to accommodate a particularsize of receptacle to be filled.

The stem 72 of the valve 39 is connected with and operated by a plunger13 of a conventional solenoid 14, rigidly mounted upon a horizontalsupport plate 15, rigidly secured to the top of the posta "U-:The+:two.-..terminals;u4li ands 4 l =-.of:-,-.the mercury switch llleare connected-throng -..::wi-res 16 andill with: thevter-minals of.:theuCQil:,OfaSOlenoid'ldfF-igurefi.

-' In operation, assuming that one *filled recen- -tacle: G1, sayof. thepint ;size,:-has just been filled I and removedfrom i the table. :46,zthetable. will. be -in the lowermost-,1 latchedqposition such as thatvshown int'Figure: 1,: and; the latch extension .63

will be. holding .the keeper 1 6 as -indioated;;in

':The next empty pint receptacle 5! p is: :now

' placed uponithe :loweredtabledii the V-shapcd abutment. 52 havingpreviously been adjusted to properly center the container: E upcnthe t'tb :46." The ireylevcr fifi is nowdepressedebymeans of .theke tobfifi andthe latch extensions? releases the-115861381 aid sothat thecounterweight "621 causes the, table-46:,tobegin to rise.

,When this occurs, :the scale-.lbeamflll and tube,;32 -\vill approachthe horizontal, .andthen pass the horizontal.whenmovingtoward theirrelative positions of Figure 9. As soon as the tube 32 passesthe-horizontal; the-ball weights. 35 will immediately roll tosthegrighthand. end of the tube, Figure 9, and add to th efiect of thecounterweight 21, in elevating the table @6. This completes theelevation of the table-46 and the closingoi the circuit through themercury witch3l-with a relatively Snappy action, and as soon as themercury switch terminals 49 and 4| are bridged by the mercury" 39, thecircuit through thesolenoid 14., is completed, and the solenoid becomesenergized and opensthe valve 69.

Liquid fromtb.e ;1fauoct 53enow enters the receptacle 5?, andthetablgeli begins to move donwwardly. When thebeam Zilapproaches butnot quite reaches the horizontal upon its return to the position ofFigure 1, the ball weights 35 will roll to the left hand end of the tube32, Figure 9, due to the slight convergence of the tube and beam 26.This will accelerate the lowering of the table 46, and assure positiveengagement of the keeper 6d. and latch extension 63 when the table 46 isfully lowered and the pedestal 39 contacts the stop lug 5!. At thistime, the mercury switch 3? is open, and the solenoid 14 is againde-energized so that the flow of liquid from the faucet 68 is cut off.The receptacle 5! on the table is now completely filled and ready forremoval from the table, so that the cycle of operation may be completedfor the next empty receptacle.

The apparatus is efiicient and substantially foolproof in operation. Thearrangement of the over-center ball weights 35 in the tube 32 assurespositive engagement of the latch extension 63 and keeper 5 3, as well asaccelerated elevadepartingszfromzzrtherspirit: of :th zi vcntionmruscope .ofztheidublcined claims.

1' :Having thus,. described:my invention, I: claim: 1 Apparatuszaforrlfil-ling and wei hin receptacles.ycomprisingia support includingsp standards. provided at the r. tops with; bearings, ascale beamprovideclbetween its endswith trunnions seated withinthe bearings sothat-the :scale beam is swingable vertically, aimembergsecuredto;thelscalewbeam: near ;one;;end-and having a locking part, .trunnionscarried-v by the member and extendingnon oppositeusides of, theusame aweighing .table including-bearings seated upon the lastznaincdtrunnionsand having depend- .ing part, a linkronnecting said depending part ofthe table. and ,oneofsaid standardsandserv- .ing to: maintainpthe.table-level as it is raised and. lowered -:with said scale: beam,releasable latch means forengagement-with said locking partto hold thetablein a lowered position-movable:overeentenweight means carried by thescale beam. and extending on opposite sidesiof .ithe trunnions, ofsaid-.scale'beam for causing the tabieto riseanddescend with a snappyaction, and. a gravity operated switch. carried by the scale beam foroperating liquid dispensing means above said table in response toraising and lowering of said table.

'2. Apparatus foimfilling andweighingrecep- $80168 comprisin a support-includingr a pair of uprights,-.a vertically swingable scalebeam-provided' between its ends with. trunnions which are journaleduponthe uprightsa member secured to one end of thescale beam, trunnionscarried by the .member, a vertically movable horizontal .table havingbearing parts journaled upon the trunnionsofsaidzmembena dependingpedestal secured to. the table and extending below saidmemberlandadapted to have its lower end engage the support, alatchdevice connected withrlthe support and having ,a part engageablewithsaid member iorlreleasablylocking the same in allowered.positionwiththe lower end of the pedestal engaging the, support, a counterweightmounted upon the scale beam near its end remote from said member, a tubeextending longitudinally of the scale beam and substantially paralleltherewith and secured to the scale beam, a longitudinally movable weightmounted within the tube for accelerating the movement of the scale beamwhen the same passes the horizontal, a mercury switch mounted upon thescale beam and having a pair of terminals which are bridged by themercury when the scale beam is tilted for elevating the table, a fixedupright extending above the table and scale beam for a substantialdistance, a dispensing faucet vertically adjustably mounted upon thefixed upright and having a discharge spout arranged over the table, avalve connected in said faucet and having a stem, a solenoid mountedupon the fixed upright and having a plunger connected with the valvestem for operating the same to open and close said valve, and wiresconnecting the terminals of the mercury switch and solenoid.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a base including spaceduprights, generally U- shaped bearings secured to the tops of the spaceduprights, a generally horizontal scale beam spaced above the base andprovided between its ends with trunnions extending transversely thereofand journaled within the U-shaped bearings so that the scale beam isswingable vertically, a generally L-shaped member secured to one end ofthe scale beam and extending longitudinally forwardly of and below thescale beam, a substantially horizontal locking element carried by thelower end of the L-shaped member and spaced below the scale beam,trunnions secured to the L-shaped member near its forward end andextending transversely thereof beyond the opposite sides of the L-shapedmember, a horizontal weighing table including a depending pedestaladapted to engage the base, generally inverted U-shaped bearings securedto the table near opposite sides of the same and pivotally engaging thelast-named trunnions, a generally horizontal link pivotally connectednear one end with one of said uprights and near its opposite end withthe depending pedestal and serving to maintain the weighing table levelas it is raised and lowered by the scale beam, a latch lever pivoted tosaid base and extending transversely of the scale beam near the forwardend of the scale beam and having a locking part engageable over saidsubstantially horizontal locking element to releasably hold the weighingtable in a lowered position with the depending pedestal engaging thebase, a tube secured to the scale beam and substantially paralleltherewith and extending upon opposite sides of the trunnions of thescale beam, a weight movably mounted within the tube for causing theweighing table to rise and descend with a snappy action whenever thetube is tilted from the horizontal, and a gravity operated switch bodilymounted upon the scale beam for completing a circuit when the weighingtable is elevated to operate liquid dispensing means arranged above thetable.

4. Apparatus'of the class described comprising 3 a base including spaceduprights, generally U- shaped bearings secured to the tops of the spaceduprights, a generally horizontal scale beam spaced above the base andprovided between its end with trunnions extending transversely thereof,ball bearings carried by the trunnions and engaging the U-shapedbearings so that the scale beam is swingable vertically with minimumfriction, a generally L-shaped member secured to to the table nearopposite sides of the same and engaging the last-named ball bearings, agenerally horizontal link pivotally connected near one end with one ofsaid uprights and near its opposite end with the depending pedestal andserving to maintain the weighing table level in all vertically adjustedpositions, a latch device pivoted to the base near the forward end ofthe scale beam and engageable with said locking element to releasablyhold the weighing table lowered with the depending pedestal engaging thebase, movable over center weight means carried by the scale beam forcausing the weighing table to rise and descend with a quick action, anda gravity operated switch bodily mounted upon the scale beam foroperating liquid dispensing means above the weighing table in responseto raising and lowering of the table.

ANSEL R. MEADORS, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 601,674 Olin Apr. 5, 1898 605,127 Olin June 7, 1898 616,857Richards Dec. 27, 1898 748,055 Driver Dec. 29, 1903 1,087,838 Scott Feb.17, 1914 1,835,223 Kilpper Dec. 8, 1931 2,273,180 De Castro Feb. 17,1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 356,015 Great Britain a- Sept.3, 1931

